Cause of death of Gene Hackman and wife's dog detailed after tragic discovery

Yahoo

15-03-2025

The dog belonging to late Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died of dehydration and starvation, a report has said.
Hackman, 95, known for his roles in films including The French Connection, Unforgiven and The Conversation, was discovered at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 26. He was found dead alongside his wife Betsy, 65. The Mirror reports that authorities found two dogs at the property, but sadly one of the couple's beloved dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, was found dead.
An investigation revealed that Hackman had died of heart failure, complicated by advanced Alzheimer's and hypertension. The actor was 'in very poor health' before he died, New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell said in a statement following an investigation into his passing. Medical examiners suggested that his wife died from rare rodent-borne illness hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. She had died a week before her husband.
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Hackman's body, which had signs of decomposition and mummification, was found in the entrance hall of his home, while Betsy was discovered in a bathroom, with officials believing that the award-winning actor may not have been aware of his wife's death due to his Alzheimer's. Their dog Zinna was found dead in a crate near Betsy's body, and the Santa Fe County animal control agency's report said there was 'partial mummification' of the dog.
The dog's stomach only contained small amounts of hair and bile, leading animal control officials to confirm Zinna died of starvation and dehydration. Their beloved pet was a returned shelter dog, and was 'an incredible companion' to Betsy, said Joey Padilla, the owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility. The couple's two other surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, are being cared for at the facility.
Earlier this week, Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moya told USA Today that Bear and Nikita helped authorities find the bodies of their owners, after maintenance workers raised the alarm. He recalled the dogs were running up to first responders and barking, before running in a different direction. 'They realised (the dog) was trying to say, 'Hey, come over here! Come over here!'' he said.
Gene, who won two Oscars, retired from Hollywood in the early 2000s, and preferred a more private life in Santa Fe with Betsy and their three dogs. Following news of the couple's death, a representative for Gene and Betsy's estate has tried to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports related to their deaths, citing privacy concerns.